A Toast to The Arts

Artist Lakin Epaloose in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

Artist Lakin Epaloose joins Big Blend Radio’s 1st Friday” Toast to The Arts & Parks” Podcast to talk about his paintings, photography, fashion design, and being the latest National Parks Arts Foundation artist-in-residence for Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.  Lakin Epaloose, a painter and cultural bearer of the Zuni Tribe, works at Grand Canyon National Park in the cultural demonstration program. From 9:30am-1:30pm, on April 19, 2025, Lakin will offer a hands-on painting demonstration that follow his presentation at Kahuku Visitor Contact Station in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Watercolor supplies will be provided. The park’s Artist in Residence program is sponsored by the National Parks Arts Foundation and Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Reservations required, 20-person limit. Details and reservations: https://home.nps.gov/havo/learn/news/03212025-nr-april-updates.htmLearn more and view Lakin’s art: https://www.lakinepalooseart.com/Learn more about the National Parks Arts Foundation’s unique artist residency programs in parks across the country at https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/

Author Joan Fernandez - Saving Vincent

We all know Vincent van Gogh, but who was the powerhouse woman who turned his failed art career into an international success?
In celebration of Women's History Month, and the birth anniversary of artist Vincent van Gogh (March 30, 1853), this episode of Big Blend Radio features author Joan Fernandez who discusses her book, "Saving Vincent: A Novel of Jo van Gogh." Releasing April 15, 2025 through She Writes Press, this historical fiction novel reveals the hidden true story of the woman who made Vincent van Gogh the artistic giant he is today.
Joan Fernandez is a novelist who brings to light courageous women’s brilliant deeds in history. “Saving Vincent” was recognized by the American Writing Awards, winning their 2024 art award. More: https://www.joanfernandezauthor.com/ 

Novelist Iris Mitlin Lav - Gitel's Freedom

Celebrate the end of Women's History Month with this episode of Big Blend Radio that features author Iris Mitlin Lav, who discusses her historical novel, "Gitel's Freedom."  This depression-era book shares the story of Jewish immigrants and one woman’s journey toward personal freedom. It's a compelling tale of women’s resourcefulness and resilience amid limiting and often oppressive expectations.   
IRIS MITLIN LAV earned an MBA from George Washington University and an AB from the University of Chicago. She enjoyed a long career in public policy analysis and management, and she taught public finance at Johns Hopkins University and George Mason University. Her first novel, “A Wife in Bangkok,” was published in 2020 by She Writes Press. “Gitel’s Freedom” is her second novel. More at https://irismitlinlav.com/  

Noteworthy Women in Artist Ted DeGrazia’s Life

Celebrate Women's History Month with this shared episode of Big Blend Radio's "Tales of Southwest Artist Ted DeGrazia" Podcast. Featuring Lance Laber, Executive Director of the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, this episode focuses on some of the noteworthy women in Southwest Artist Ted DeGrazia's life including his Mother, first wife Alexandra Diamos, second wife artist Marion DeGrazia, Carol Locust - Mother of musician Domingo DeGrazia, photographer Louise Serpa, and even country singer Sammi Smith.
Current exhibits at DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun include "Ted DeGrazia in the Studio of Diego Rivera" (until Sept. 3, 2025), “Louise Serpa's Portraits of Ted DeGrazia” (until Sept. 3, 2025), and “The Way of the Cross” (until May 28, 2025). The Little Gallery is also host to visiting artists from now through April 4, 2025. 
Also hear about the exhibit "Bisbee Through the Eyes of Ted DeGrazia" on display at the Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum and the Muheim Heritage House, in Bisbee AZ,  through May 26, 2025.
DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun is a 10-acre historic landmark nestled in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains in Tucson, Arizona. Opened in 1965, it is home to over 15,000 originals of Ted DeGrazia art pieces including oil paintings, watercolors, ceramics and sculptures. There are six permanent collections on display and several rotating exhibitions each year. More: http://www.degrazia.org/ 
This Big Blend Radio "Tales of Ted DeGrazia" podcast airs every 4th Sunday. Follow the show here: https://ted-degrazia.podbean.com/ 

Weather Music with Joey Stuckey

This episode of Big Blend Radio's BIG DAILY BLEND Show with cohost musician Joey Stuckey celebrates Weather Music in honor of today (March 23) being World Meteorological Day. This show is dedicated to our friend in music, Billy James of Glass Onyon PR.
CHECK OUT OUR WEATHER MUSIC PLAYLIST on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/5c7hva5j 
Here's the link for the interview we discussed on the show with seismologist Barry Hirshorn, who talks about his experiences in the 2004 Tsunami: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/tsunami-race-against-time/ 
JOEY STUCKEY ‪is known as the Music Ambassador of Macon, Georgia "The Southern Rock Capital of the World." He's an award-winning blind guitarist, songwriter, singer, composer, producer, and sound engineer. Visit: https://www.joeystuckey.com/ 
This show is also featured on Big Blend Radio's "Toast to The Arts" and "Rants, Raves & Rock 'n Roll" Podcast Channel. Follow the BIG DAILY BLEND Show, here: https://big-daily-blend.podbean.com/ 

The History of Art Museums in America

From the Wadsworth Athenaeum in Hartford, Connecticut and the Corcoran Gallery in Washington, D.C. to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim Museum in New York City, this episode of Big Blend Radio's WORLD OF ART Podcast with artist Victoria Chick is Part Two of her three-part series on the history of Art Museums. It focuses on the History of Art Museums in America.
Victoria is the catalyst behind the Southwest Regional Museum of Art & Art Center project in Silver City, New Mexico. You can learn more about the Museum effort and read her articles about the History of Art Museums:- Part One: https://www.southwest-art-museum.org/articles/art-museums-a-history-part-one - Part Two: https://www.southwest-art-museum.org/articles/art-museums-a-history-part-two 
Victoria Chick is a contemporary figurative artist and early 19th/20th century print collector based in Silver City, New Mexico. Visit: https://victoriachick.com/ 
Victoria appears on Big Blend Radio every 3rd Saturday. Follow the podcast: https://worldofart-victoriachick.podbean.com/ 
This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's "Way Back When" and "Toast to The Arts" Podcast Channels. Check out our network of shows: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

Author Robert Steven Goldstein - Golda's Hutch

This episode of Big Blend Radio's 2nd Wednesday "Books & Authors" Show with Books Forward features author Robert Steven Goldstein who discusses his psychological thriller, "Golda's Hutch." 
How well do you really know the people you encounter every day? Set against the dynamic backdrop of San Francisco, "Golda's Hutch" is a gripping novel that weaves a complex tapestry of deception, envy, desire, politics, and power. 
Along with "Golda's Hutch" his fifth novel, Robert is the author of "The Swami Deheftner," "Enemy Queen," "Cat's Whisker," and "Will's Surreal Period." Robert and his wife Sandy live in San Francisco and share their home with an array of dogs, cats, rabbits, turtles, and parrots. Robert has practiced yoga, meditation, and vegetarianism for over fifty years. Visit https://robertstevengoldstein.com/ 
More about Books Forward at https://booksforward.com/ 

Women Artists in Parks

Celebrate Women's History Month with this episode of Big Blend Radio's 1st Friday "Toast to The Parks & Arts" Show with Tanya Ortega, photographer and founder of the National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF). From musicians, poets and writers to painters and textile artists, Tanya talks about the various women NPAF artists-in-residence over the years, and you can hear their Big Blend Radio interviews in this playlist here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/women-artists-in-parks/ 
National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF) is known for offering unique month-long artist residencies in locations like Loggerhead Key in Dry Tortugas National Park, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, Chaco Canyon and Fort Union in Northern New Mexico, and Saguaro National Park in Tucson, Arizona. These artist residency opportunities are perfect for artists of all mediums, from painters and sculptors to photographers, composers, writers, musicians, and more. Learn more: https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/ 
Watch for Big Blend Radio's NPAF Retrospective, a digital publication featuring 8+ years of podcast interviews with artists and park representatives! Keep up with us by getting our newsletter at https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/join-our-newsletter/